Another Cabinet Secretary Out

Good afternoon. This is the Final NOTUS newsletter for April 20, 2026. You can get it in your inbox every day by signing up here — it’s free!

THE LATEST

Just in: Secretary of Labor Lori Chavez-DeRemer has resigned, NOTUS’ Reese Gorman reports. She was a magnet for scandal during her 12 months in office, facing allegations ranging from alleged misuse of government resources to accusations that she drank on the job and carried out an “inappropriate” relationship with a subordinate.

It’s looking increasingly unlikely that the U.S. and Iran will come to a permanent truce by the time a two-week ceasefire agreement ends on Wednesday. Donald Trump took calls from several journalists today and gave a series of brief and at times conflicting interviews, part of what is now his signature communications strategy as it relates to the ongoing war.

• The president told Bloomberg that it’s “highly unlikely” he extends the ceasefire absent a deal. But then he did exactly that, saying that he plans to give Iran a few extra hours — until “Wednesday evening Washington time” — before hostilities resume.
• If the ceasefire does expire, Trump told PBS this morning, “then lots of bombs start going off.”

On Truth Social, Trump insisted that he is “under no pressure” to wrap up the war. The statement came as a second round of peace talks remains in doubt — Iranian officials said over the weekend that they had no plans to show up in Islamabad, even as JD Vance is currently expected to travel there. A spokesperson for Iran’s Foreign Ministry said today that “no decision has been made” to attend.

• “Honoring commitments is the basis of meaningful dialogue. Deep historical mistrust in Iran toward U.S. gov conduct remains, while unconstructive & contradictory signals from American officials carry a bitter message; they seek Iran’s surrender,” Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian wrote on X. “Iranians do not submit to force.”

THE HILL

Cory Mills is weighing an attempt to expel Nancy Mace from the House, NOTUS’ Kadia Goba reports. Mace, of course, has been pushing for Mills’ expulsion from the chamber over allegations of domestic violence, stolen valor and financial misconduct.

• A source familiar with Mills’ resolution told Kadia that the congressman plans to focus on a verbal altercation Mace had with security at the Charleston airport, among other alleged misconduct.

The House Ethics Committee released a rare public statement today revealing that it has conducted 20 sexual misconduct investigations since 2017. The panel also listed all 28 public probes it has conducted since 1976 — a number that includes 15 instances since 2017.

• That means there were five sexual misconduct investigations into House members over the past decade that had not been publicly disclosed.
• The committee is also asking “anyone who may have experienced sexual misconduct by a House Member or staffer” to contact a member of the panel.

THE ADMINISTRATION

Kash Patel has filed a $250 million defamation suit against The Atlantic over a story detailing the FBI director’s alleged “excessive drinking and unexplained absences.”

• “We stand by our reporting on Kash Patel, and we will vigorously defend The Atlantic and our journalists against this meritless lawsuit,” the publication said in a statement.

FROM CANADA

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said that his country’s close economic ties to the U.S., which were once a strength, have now become a “weakness” he plans to correct.

• “The U.S. has changed and we must respond,” Carney said in a 10-minute video address to his country. “It’s about taking back control of our security, our borders and our future.”
• “Canada lives because of the United States,” Trump responded after the speech. “Remember that, Mark, the next time you make your statements.”

THE MEDIA

The Onion has a new plan to take over famed conspiracy theorist Alex Jones’ site, InfoWars. The satirical news outlet wants to license the InfoWars name and associated IP from a court-appointed manager, who was given control of Jones’ site as part of bankruptcy proceedings that scuttled The Onion’s first takeover attempt. The plan now awaits approval from a Texas judge.

• The comedian Tim Heidecker is slated to serve as the site’s creative director, Ben Collins, the CEO of The Onion’s parent company, Global Tetrahedron, wrote on social media.

WE SEE WHAT YOU’RE DOING

Thank you for reading! Today’s newsletter was produced by Kelly Poe and Andrew Burton. If you liked it, please forward it to a friend. If someone shared it with you, please subscribe — it’s free! Got a tip or comments to share? Email us at finalnotus@notus.com.